Kloof is a leafy, middle- to upper class suburb and a small town, that includes a smaller area called Everton, in the greater Durban area of eThekwini in KwaZulu-Natal. The word Kloof (cf. cleft) means 'gorge' in Afrikaans and the area is named after the deep ravine formed by the Molweni stream (stream of high cliffs). The Kloof Gorge is part of the 4.47 square kilometres (1.7 sq mi) Krantzkloof Nature Reserve. Kloof extends from the top of Field's Hill and borders Winston Park, Gillitts, Forest Hills and Hillcrest. These suburbs are collectively known as the Upper Highway Area or the Outer West region of Durban. The M13 highway (built in the 1940s) intersects Kloof and on 16 June this forms part of the route of the annual Comrades Marathon, an approximately 90 kilometres ultra-marathon run between Pietermaritzburg and Durban since 1924. It is a predominantly white, English-speaking area. Kloof features several upmarket shopping centres and the Kloof Country Club, founded in 1927. It is known as a mist-belt with winding roads and tree-surrounded mansions. The South African property market, though still arguably undervalued has seen high growth since 2003 and most prime Kloof properties sell for between R2,000,000 and R3,000,000 which is well above the regional average (which is under R800,000.)

The larger homes, rarely on the market, are sold for between R6,000,000 and R30,000,000. These are, however, still at a discount by international standards. Although it is regarded as a mature suburb, with most of the Upper Highway Area's recent condominium developments taking place in neighbouring Hillcrest, rich residents and newcomers are still building large houses where land is available, though these are built in Tuscan, Tudorbethan and modern designs. Today one can find almost any style of architecture in Kloof. Kloof has a state school network that consists of Kloof High School, Kloof Senior Primary School, Kloof Junior Primary School and Kloof Pre-Primary School. There are also several private schools located in Kloof including the prestigious St Mary's Diocesan School for Girls and Thomas More College. In the broader area there is also Highbury Preparatory School in Hillcrest and Kearsney College in Botha's Hill. The many trees that define Kloof provide for an abundance of birds, including the Crowned Eagle. Other wildlife has been preserved in greenbelt areas such as the Krantzkloof Nature Reserve, which includes the Kloof Gorge, and the Everton Conservancy. The Reserve is centred around the main Gorge cut by the Emolweni River, and extends in total 532 ha. It was established by the Natal Parks Board (Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife) in 1950.

The area around the gorge was once the habitat of leopards and a leopard features prominently on the Kloof crest. (The stuffed leopard in the Durban Museum reportedly was shot in the area). Chacma baboons were once found at the Krantzkloof Nature Reserve. They were re-introduced at one stage but unfortunately, after becoming troublesome, were removed. Bushpig may also be found in the reserve. Both would likely have formed part of the diet of the leopard. Private botanical gardens which were established by a well-known horticulturalist are now the gardens of a hotel known as the Makaranga Lodge after tall trees planted in the gardens. Visitors are able to arrange guided tours. The Kloof Country Club includes a highly-rated 18-hole golf course, which was the only golf course outside of Durban for many years. The M13 highway runs parallel to it.